Improvement in fire-escapes



r.A H. SH. Fire-Escapes.

Patented Apri! 22, 1873.

No. 138,05]v

smrnn Strains` PATENT Prien.

GEORGE n. SHAW, on PHELPs, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE-ESCAPES.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 138,051, dated April 22,1873 application iiled February 11, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. SHAW, of Phelps, in the county of Ontarioand State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement inSelf -Lowering Apparatus, adapted for use as a hre-escape, in paintingchurch-steeples, inspecting bridges, and other like purposes; and thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such'that others skilled in the art may make, and any person of ordinaryintelligence may use the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure lis aperspective view of my invention, illustrating the application andmanner of using the same. Fig. 2 is a central section, showing theblock, the manner of attaching it to the suspending web or cord, theclamp or brake, and the attachment thereto of the suspending sling orharness. Fig. 3 is a front or top view.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, portable, safe, andeconomical device for travelers and others, by which any person maywithout danger lower himself from an elevated position to the ground, orto any point between the startingpoint and the ground, and then stop,having, if desired,.the hands free for any purpose, as circumstances orconvenience may require.

Referring to the drawing, A represents a hook by which to attach theupper endofthe line to any secure part of a building, and B representsthe suspending cord or web. C represents the block, having three crossbolts or connections, around two ot' which the suspending-cord isreeved, as shown, the third formin g the support and means of attachmentfor the sling. One of the cross-bolts is slight ly grooved, as shown, sothat the clamp or brake may be effectual with light pressure. In theinside of the checks of the block,

extending down to the top cross-bolt, aregrooves, in which the ends ofthe clamp-bar D work. Across the top of the block is securely fastened across-plate, E, in which afemale screw is cut, and having athumb-screw,F, working therein, by which the clamp is operated. The bottom of thethumb-screw is provided with a knob or disk working in a suitable recessshown, so that in turning the said screw backward the clamp is raised bypositive form away from the cord or web. The

body and cross-pieces of the block are made, by preference, of a singlepiece of cast metal. The example illustrated in this case is adapted tothe' use of webbing for the suspending-cord, which is preferred, as therequired strength can be obtained thereby with less weight and bulk ofmaterial. It is obvious, however, that the cross-pieces and clamp may begrooved and a rope or round cord used with substantially the sameresults. A hook is also represented for fastening, but it is obviousthat the cord may be tied or fastened in any convenient manner. abovedescribed I make a sling substantially such as shown in the drawing,with slipbuckles, with a strap for the seat or around the hips to befastened in front, andanother to support the back under the arms.particular sling is provided so that a child, invalid, or other personmay be so fastened that it will be impossible to fall out by anyaccident caused by fear or otherwise, and as an easy seat when used forpainting, inspecting bridges, and the like. The slip-buckles are for thepurpose of making the sling adjustable to the size of the person usingit. It is obvious that theblock and sling may be drawn up and the linedrawn at a given time through it, and several persons saved by a singledevice.

The operation is, rst, to secure the end of the cord, clamp the blockthereto, get into the sling, and swing off or out of a window; thenslightly loosen the clamp just so that the block will move on the cord,and the occupant of the sling will slip gently to the ground withoutfurther effort on his part; or the device will operate practically foran adult without a clamp, as the occupant, by grasping and exerting aslight force upon the line below the block, may control his downwardmovement as desired; or a slight pull at the bottom of the cord operatesin the same way. Thus a child or invalid may be gently let down, byhaving assistance on the ground, `without effort or without the abilityto operate the setscrew to control the clamp.

Having thus fully described my invention,

In connection with the block This what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by In testimony that I claim the foregoing I Letters Patent,ishave this 10th day of February,-A. D. 1873,

The block G, having grooved cross-bolt a, hereunto subscribed my name.

friction-bolt b, and clamp-piece D, controlled GEO. H. SHAW.

by the thumb-screw F, adapted to be used in Witnesses:

Ycombination with the strap A and sling Gr, WARREN C. STONE,

when arranged substantially as set forth. A. G. STONE.

